Positive variable drive transmission unit/system

Abstract

A set of interlocking sheaves having fan-shaped protruding curved surfaces of different conical angles and capable of varying their degree of interlock is used in conjunction with a drive line to provide a variable drive transmission system having a positive gear-like gripping action between the drive line and the sheaves, the improvement allowing increased drive line traction and noise reduction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A positive variable drive transmission system which comprises: a. at least one pair of opposed conical sheaves, each sheave having a series of spaces, wherein said sheaves are mounted on or about a shaft, each sheave having a series of fan-shaped driving contact surfaces wherein each has a curved protruding surface;   b. means to vary said sheaves axially on said shaft, so that one said sheave will intermesh and fit in the spaces of the other said sheave to provide an adjustment to change the effective circumference of a conical shaped valley;   c. a drive line engagable with said conical shaped valley near the intersection of said sheaves; and   d. means to create a positive, gear-like gripping action and traction between said drive line and said sheaves.   
     
     
       2. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive line includes a plurality of aligned plates or washers stacked or positioned around an axial core driving line element so that said plates or washers will shift, slide, pivot or rotate in order to grip said sheaves. 
     
     
       3. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive line includes chain links designed to shift, slide, pivot or rotate in order to grip said sheaves. 
     
     
       4. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 1, including braking means to apply a frictional force directly to a surface of at least one sheave. 
     
     
       5. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive line includes flexible or spring designed flexible material so as to grip said sheaves. 
     
     
       6. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said pair of opposed sheaves is arranged so that one said sheave is a master and one said sheave is a slave. 
     
     
       7. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said system is used in a motor vehicle and provides automatic differentiation on each drive wheel of said motor vehicle to allow each drive wheel to rotate at a different speed. 
     
     
       8. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 1, including control means to adjust axial settings of said sheaves in relation to a linear or circumferential rate movement. 
     
     
       9. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 8, including a power source that uses a variable length stroke piston or cyclodic linear mechanism so that the stroke velocity could be maintained at a desired rate. 
     
     
       10. A positive variable drive transmission system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said system is used in a lathe or other machine and performs work upon work pieces with various diameters and means to maintain the circumferential speed at a desired rate. 
     
     
       11. A set of intermeshing sheaves that form effective conical shaped valleys for transmitting, carrying, or receiving a drive line, wherein said sheaves are mounted on a shaft as to be variable axially to provide an adjustment to change the effective circumference to the said line, wherein an improvement comprises: driving contact surfaces in the form of a coating, inserts, or plates mounted upon the sheave surfaces.   
     
     
       12. A set of intermeshing sheaves as set forth in claim 11, wherein said contact surface material is of a material different than the material used for the sheave body. 
     
     
       13. A set of intermeshing sheaves as set forth in claim 11, wherein said contact surface is removable and replaceable without having to remove or replace the entire sheave. 
     
     
       14. A set of intermeshing sheaves as set forth in claim 11 wherein each said sheave is constructed of a plastic material in order to reduce centrifugal stresses, increase shock absorbing characteristics, and add to the ease of manufacture. 
     
     
       15. A set of intermeshing sheaves as set forth in claim 11 wherein each said sheave is made of a die castable material, such as aluminum or zinc, to reduce centrifugal stresses, increase strength, and add to the ease of manufacture. 
     
     
       16. A set of intermeshing sheaves that form effective conical shaped valleys for transmitting, carrying, or receiving a drive line wherein said sheaves are mounted on a shaft as to be variable axially to provide an adjustment so as to change the effective circumference to the said line, wherein an improvement comprises: each sheave having a series of fan-shaped driving contact surfaces, each fan-shaped surface having a series of radial conical-shaped grooves with grove center lines located differently in relation to the shaft axis and to each of the other driving contact surfaces to enhance the gripping action of the drive lines with said sheaves.   
     
     
       17. A set of intermeshing sheaves as set forth in claim 16 wherein each said fan-shaped driving contact surface has a curved protruding surface. 
     
     
       18. A set of intermeshing sheaves that form effective conical shaped valleys for transmitting, carrying, or receiving a drive line, whereas the said sheaves are fitted on a shaft as to be variable axially to provide an adjustment means so as to change the effective circumference to the said line, wherein the improvement comprises: a driving contact surface conical angle on the individual sheaves of the set which are effectively different from one another.   
     
     
       19. A set of intermeshing sheaves as set forth in claim 18 wherein one said sheave has a slightly greater conical angle than the other said sheave to cause said drive line to rotate radially about the axis of said drive line to provide even wear all around the contact surface of said drive line. 
     
     
       20. A driving contact surface conical angle as described in claim 18, whereas one sheave may have less effective conical angle or be effectively flat to suit applicational clearance problems, such as on a motor vehicle application that uses the driven wheel hub in conjunction for a said conical sheave, allowing less clearance area for the matching sheave to be of the same conical angle. 
     
     
       21. A set of intermeshing sheaves as set forth in claim 18 including braking means to apply a frictional force to the surface of at least one sheave and, wherein said flat surface or plate sheave would serve as a braking surface to apply frictional force.